adminLea Mutanda
ZIMBABWE Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) has taken Prison Day commemorations to various holding facilities countrywide.
Early this month, ZPCS celebrated Prison Day at Gwanzura Stadium in Harare were inmates from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison and Harare Central Prisons mixed with members of the public including friends and relatives.
Recently, inmates at Murewa Prison commemorated the Day, which was also marked by the presentation of building certificates to 10 inmates.
Speaking at the event, ZPCS Harare Metropolitan Provincial officer, senior assistant commissioner Alvord Gapare said the relationship between prisoners and inmates was important in order to eliminate isolation of offenders.
“Community involvement helps in maintaining the link between the offender and the community, and to a greater extent, eliminates isolation and stigmatisation that the offender and his immediate family may suffer.”
Senior assistant commissioner Gapare said there was need for the establishment of a female correctional center like Connemara Open Prison.
“The open prison system is more conducive for facilitating (female) inmates’ rehabilitation and successful reintegration given that it, at most, serves as a half- way home,” he added.
At the same event, Non-Governmental Organisation, Family Action Corrective Empowerment in Zimbabwe (FACE Zim) donated two heavy duty sewing machines for inmates at Murewa and Mutoko Prisons.
FACE Zim director Mr Portipher Guta said the support: “Was meant to strengthen rehabilitation of prison inmates through capacitating the prison with life skills training.”
Online Reporter